The Latest: State considers appealing ethnic studies ruling

PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on a judge blocking the enforcement of an Arizona law banning ethnic studies programs (all times local):

2:30 p.m.

Arizona officials are considering appealing a U.S. judge's decision to block a ban on ethnic studies programs in public schools.

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2011 file photo, outgoing Arizona schools chief Tom Horne asserts that a major school district in Tucson is violating a new state law by continuing an ethnic studies program designed primarily for Hispanics, pointing out a quotation from a textbook used in the class, at a news conference in Phoenix. A federal judge is permanently blocking a 2010 ban on ethnic studies in Arizona public schools that dismantled a popular Mexican-American Studies program, effectively dealing a final blow to a seven-year court battle. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

State attorney general's office spokesman Ryan Anderson said Thursday that it would consult with Superintendent Diane Douglas about appealing the case.

Following a seven-year court battle, Judge A. Wallace Tashima issued a final judgment over a 2010 state law that he found to be motivated by racial discrimination and politics.

Lawmakers passed the ban after Tucson Unified School District began offering classes in 1998 focused on Mexican-American history, literature and art.

Steven Reiss, an attorney for Tucson students who sued over the law, says he's pleased that the district is now free to revive the program.

Attorneys for the state have denied that racial discrimination played a part in the law.

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3:45 a.m.

A federal judge has issued a final judgment, blocking an Arizona state law that prompted the dismantling of a Mexican-American history program in Tucson's largest school district.

Judge A. Wallace Tashima in a ruling issued Wednesday declared the law unconstitutional, effectively blocking state education officials from restricting ethnic studies programs in the Tucson Unified School District.

Democratic Rep. Sally Ann Gonzales of Tucson was among those praising the ruling. She said it affirms that the law passed in 2010 was motivated by racial discrimination.

Attorneys for the state have denied that racial discrimination played a part in the law.

The school district's attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment. It remains unclear what changes the school board might make as a result of the ruling.

FILE - In this June 15, 2011, file photo, protesters gather to support the Tucson Unified School District as Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal announces that the Tucson Unified School District violates state law by teaching it's Mexican American Studies Department's ethic studies program at a news conference at the Arizona Department of Education in Phoenix, Ariz. A federal judge is permanently blocking a 2010 ban on ethnic studies in Arizona public schools that dismantled a popular Mexican-American Studies program, effectively dealing a final blow to a seven-year court battle. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)